so did they; but I did not.  Lord Treasurer came down to us from the Queen, and we stayed till two o’clock.  That is the best night-place I have.  The usual[40] company are Lord and Lady Masham, Lord Treasurer, Dr. Arbuthnot, and I; sometimes the Secretary, and sometimes Mrs. Hill of the bed-chamber, Lady Masham’s sister.  I assure oo, it im vely rate now; but zis goes to-morrow:  and I must have time to converse with own richar MD.  Nite, deelest sollahs.[41]

23.  I have no news to tell you this last day, nor do I know where I shall dine.  I hear the Secretary is a little out of order; perhaps I may dine there, perhaps not.  I sent Hanmer what he wanted from me, I know not how he will approve of it.  I was to do more of the same sort; I am going out, and must carry zis in my pottick to give it at some general post-house.  I will talk further with oo at night.  I suppose in my next I shall answer a letter from MD that will be sent me.  On Tuesday it will be four weeks since I had your last, N.26.  This day se’nnight I expect one, for that will be something more than a full month.  Farewell, MD. . . deelest. . .  MD MD MD. . .  Me me me. . . logues. . . lele.[42]

LETTER 42.[1]

London, Feb. 23, 1711-12.

After having disposed my last letter in the post-office, I am now to begin this with telling MD that I dined with the Secretary to-day, who is much out of order with a cold, and feverish; yet he went to the Cabinet Council tonight at six, against my will.  The Secretary is much the greatest commoner in England, and turns the whole Parliament, who can do nothing without him; and if he lives and has his health, will, I believe, be one day at the head of affairs.  I have told him sometimes that, if I were a dozen years younger, I would cultivate his favour, and trust my fortune with his.  But what care oo for all this?  I am sorry when I came first acquainted with this Ministry that I did not send you their names and characters, and then you would have relished what[2] I would have writ, especially if I had let you into the particulars of affairs:  but enough of this.  Nite, deelest logues.

24.  I went early this morning to the Secretary, who is not yet well.  Sir Thomas Hanmer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer came while I was there, and he would not let me stir; so I did not go to church, but was busy with them till noon, about the affair I told you in my last.  The other two went away; and I dined with the Secretary, and found my head very much out of order, but no absolute fit; and I have not been well all this day.  It has shook me a little.  I sometimes sit up very late at Lord Masham’s, and have writ much for several days past:  but I will amend both; for I have now very little business, and hope I shall have no more, and I am resolved to be a great rider this summer in Ireland.  I was to see Mrs. Wesley this evening, who has been